Countries Without Income Tax

There are generally three ways for Non-US citizens to avoid paying any personal income tax.

1. Live as perpetual travelers, and avoid becoming tax-residents in any country (see 183-day rule)
2. Live in a country with a tax-exemption on foreign income (like Panama), and earn money abroad
3. Live in a country that doesn’t charge any income tax

The 23 countries without income tax, from best to worst

The ranking is overall subjective. It includes relatively objective criteria like ease of immigration, prices, location, security and subjective things like culture and vibe.

1: The Bahamas

On the top of our list are the Bahamas with their capital Nassau.
An annual fee (starting at $1,000) or the purchase of a property will qualify for residency.

Because of the close proximity to the United States, the Bahamas enjoy a relative wealth and high standard of living. Naturally you will see many Americans. The downside are high prices in comparison to other Caribeans islands.

You can choose from dozens of very nice beaches and find all sorts of entertainment on the islands.
There is a relatively high level of crime, but the residential areas in which foreigners reside have high security and are safe.

2: St. Kitts and Nevis

The islands are widely known for having the longest-running Economic Citizenship Program.
A $250.000 donation will get you the citizenship/passport in a short time. After fees it adds up to about $300.000 for individuals and $400.000 for couples. You are not required to even spend a single day on the islands.

Another way to obtain the citizenship is an investment in real estate. While it’s a possibility it’s subject to governmental overview. Therefore the investment often yields little return and is significantly more expensive.

The St. Kitts and Nevis passport allows for visa-free access to 130 countries. It’s therefore a very attractive option for high-wealth individuals from China, Russia and the Middle East.

For citizens from certain countries, the permanent residency can be obtained without many challenges and at a much lower cost. The application costs just under $200. Filling out paperwork is all that is needed.

3: Turks and Caicos

The Turks and Caicos islands are a British overseas territory. While they used to be independent in the past, due to internal problems they are now under close control by the UK again. It’s a classic offshore destination and therefore seen as quite disresputable.

But there is a high quality of life, and it’s easy to immigrate to.

A temporary, renewable residency permit without a local work-permit is available for $1650.

4: St. Bartholemy (St. Barts)

St. Barts are a French overseas territory and among the most attractive playgrounds for the rich in the Caribbean. This results in a very high price level.

Immigration poses no big challenge for EU-citizens.

There is a potential pitfall however: New residents are subject to paying their taxes in France for the first year. Only after the first year the new residents will be able to enjoy the local tax-exemption.

5: Wallis and Futuna

Positive: Easy access for EU-citizens

The islands of Wallis and Futuna in the Pacific Ocean are a so-called “Collectivité d’outre-mer” of France. Since voting for increased independance a few years ago they have been able to set their own tax-regime. Due to a lot of financial support by France, the islands themselves are tax-free.

Access for EU-citizens is very easy. Since they are officially a part of France, the EU freedom of establishment rules apply. EU citizens may therefore easily settle on the islands. For US citizens the rules are different.

6: Vanuatu

The island of Vanuatu is a paradise in the Pacific Ocean. It therefore attracts many retirees and pensioners.

The ways to settle on the island include the usual options of marriage, foreign assignment and investment. But there are also options for landowners and retirees. A land purchase of $100.000 and a monthly income qualifies for the residence permit.

Vanuatu also offers a popular citizenship program.

7: Bahrain

Bahrain is probably the 2nd most attractive Gulf state after the United Arab Emirates. This is because you can become a resident without a company assignment or getting married.

9: Cayman Islands

The Caymans Islands are most likely the most notorious among the tax-free Island states of the Caribbean. They have a thriving financial service industry. This makes it relatively expensive.

Apart from good beaches, the Island don’t offers a huge variety of activities. Most people therefore don’t choose to actually live there. But for those considering this option, there are possibilities.

To settle on the island of Grand Cayman requires an investment of around $600,000 of which $300,000 must be spent on real-estate. Addiotionally an annual income of around $150,000 dollar is required.
To live on the smaller islands the investment is half ($300,000) and the annual income only $100,000.

10: Norfolk Islands

Positive: Option to obtain Australian citizenship through residence
Negative: Remote

Although the Norfolk Islands belong to Australia, they have their own immigration regulations.

There is even a possibility to obtain permanent Australian citizenship through residence here.

11: Pitcairn Islands

Positive: Easy to obtain residence
Negative: Extremely remote

The Pitcairn Islands are located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. 5000km apart from New Zealand, and 5700km from South America. This makes them the most isolated (semi-sovereign) state in the world.

The inhabitants are almost completely descendants of the survivors of the notorious “Mutiny on the Bounty”.

Pitcairn has no airport and is only reachable by ship. The total traffic to the islands amounts to 4-6 freight ships and occasional cruise ships per year.
Also lacking the beautiful nature seen on other Pacific Islands, there is not much that favors a permanent residence here.

Immigration is therefore not a problem.

12: The United Arab Emirates

Positive: High Quality of LifeNegative: Difficult to obtain residency permit

The United Arab Emirates consist of several small states, of which Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the most popular. The Emirates are known for their mega projects, oil wealth and high quality of life.

Despite its tourist profile, the country doesn’t have much to offer for permanent immigrants. International assignments by companies to Dubai or Abu Dhabi are valid possibility. Other than that the options are limited and require a lot of capital for potential investors.

13: Nauru

Negative: Low quality of life

Nauru is one of the smallest states in the world, and once used to be THE wealthiest state. Today Nauru is mostly in the news for being a refugee camp for illegal immigrants trying to enter Australia.

Up until a few years ago Nauru offered an attractive Economic Citizenship Program to acquire a second citizenship. While this has now been closed due to pressure by the United States, tax-exemption still exists on Nauru. Life on Nauru with its environmental problems due to Phosphate mining in the past is not very enjoyable however.

14: Monaco

Monaco is well known for being a playground and tax-haven for the super rich inside Europe. It sports one of the most impressive marinas in the world, exclusive casinos and a formula one track right through the city, which is not much bigger than the Vatican.

Prices are high. A small studio apartment in the worst location costs around 2000$. Prices in general are around triple of those in the nearby french Riviera, where they are high already. Residency permits are practically only affordable for millionaires however, who can also handle the high prices in the city.

In order to obtain a residence permit, 500.000€ have to be invested in real-estate and another 500.000€ be deposited on a Monegasque bank. Additionally an individual interview and a minimum stay of 6 months per year are also required.

15: The Maldives

Positive: Beautiful nature
Negative: Difficult to obtain residence permit, High cost of living

While the Maldives are not cheap, it’s reasonable easy to reach them as a tourist.

Living permanently in this muslim country is much more complicated however. Besides marriage, really the only other viable option is to find a job in the tourist industry in the big 5-star resorts.

16: Oman

Positive: Relatively high quality of life
Negative: Difficult to obtain residence permit

Oman is similar to the other Gulf States. The easiest way to stay here is as an employee for an international company. There is an investment visa program as well, but the investment amount is very high.

17: Kuwait

Negative: Very difficult to obtain permanent residence permit

Another tax-free Gulf state. Once again it is very difficult to settle in this oil-rich country. You need to be sent by a company.

18: Quatar

Positive: High standard of living
Negative: Very difficult to obtain permanent residence permit, aside from marriage and employment by international companies

19: Bermuda

Being a well-known tax-haven for the super rich, Bermuda is one of the most expensive countries in the world. A one bedroom apartment costs around $2,500 USD/month, 2- and 3-bedroom cost $3,500 and $5,500 respectivley. If you want ocean view, a pool and a garden you can expect to pay upwards of $15,000 per months. Almost all other prices are about 3x that of the US and Canada.

Three options are on the menu to get the permenent residence:

Global Work Permit: Employment by an international company on the Bermudas

New Business Work Permit: A company opens a new branch on the Bermudas

Global Entrepreneur Work Permit: A private investor opening a new business

20: Brunai

Negative: Very difficult to obtain permanent residence permit, aside from marriage and employment by international companies